Anti-poverty agency ranked #20 on the list – signaling its position as a driver of the state’s economy
(BOSTON, MA) — The Women’s Edge together with its partner The Boston Globe, announced that Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) is once again among the Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts. ABCD ranked #20 on the list, up from #56 in 2024. In addition to revenue or operating budget, factors considered in the evaluation included workplace and management diversity, board makeup and innovative projects.
Honorees were recognized during a celebratory breakfast event on October 24, 2025 at the Boston Marriott Copley Place. Together, the 100 organizations honored generated over $141B in total revenue in 2024 – demonstrating that women leaders continue to be key drivers of the state’s economy. ABCD’s annual budget is nearly $300M.
“It is gratifying to be recognized once more among so many outstanding organizations and women leaders,” said ABCD President and CEO Sharon Scott-Chandler. “While serving our incredible mission to build pathways out of poverty for people, ABCD also values its role in helping to drive the Commonwealth’s economic well being by infusing tens of millions of dollars into the local economy.”
Scott-Chandler who has been at ABCD’s helm since 2022 accepted the award for the organization. She joined ABCD in 1999 as director of Child Care Choices of Boston, its child care resource and referral program, and rose through the ranks, serving as vice president of ABCD Head Start & Children’s Services, and then executive vice president/chief operating officer for 13 years.
She holds a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law and a B.A. from Tufts University. Scott-Chandler began her career working on a presidential campaign, and then as a legislative aide to United States Congressman Sidney Yates. Upon graduating law school, she joined the Boston law firm of (then) Morrison, Mahoney and Miller and subsequently served as Assistant Attorney General under Attorney General Scott Harshbarger before moving into non-profit management.